Article display device

ABSTRACT

An article display device to be hung from a hook or the like hanging component of a display structure, includes a one-piece body with first, second, and third contiguous sections. The first, second and third sections include generally coextensive side edges. The first section includes a first opening for receiving a hook or the like hanging component of an article display structure. The second section is disposed below the first section and includes an area for including advertising indicia/information. The third section is disposed below the second section and includes a second opening bound on all sides for inserting an article therethrough. The height of the second section is larger than the height of one of the first and third sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to display devices, and moreparticularly to an article display device which can be used to displayfoldable articles, such as wallets.

The retail industry, particularly the department stores and shopsnormally dedicate thousands of square feet of ground and shelf space todisplay and showcase thousands of items. It would not be an exaggerationto state that at any given time tens of thousands items are onsimultaneous display in a large department store. The retail businessesconstantly introduce new items to attract the attention of theconsumers. While competing for consumers attention on one hand, andconstantly balancing the need to display thousands of items with limitedtime and labor available for such on the other hand, the retailer arefaced with many challenges. One of the challenges includes the speedwith which thousands of items have to be displayed or arranged on theracks or walls. For instance, garments must be properly secured ontohangers prior to being displayed on floor or wall racks. Likewise, tiesare often individually threaded through specially designed hangers priorto being suspended from a floor rack or wall hooks. Other items, such aswallets, are typically shipped in boxes to be laid out on tables fordisplay. Frequently, bi-fold or tri-fold wallets are loosely stacked ontables or in cases for the consumers to see and choose from.

The prior art includes various garment and article hangers, displaydevices, and holders, examples of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,065,946; 3,241,733; 3,246,812; 3,790,045; 3,945,500; 4,932,571;5,123,577; 5,328,065; 5,429,284; 5,501,378; 5,620,118; and 5,857,597.

However, the conventional devices are complicated in design, difficultto use, prone to easy damage, and expensive to manufacture. In addition,the prior art devices are typically designed only to hang articlesthereby leaving no or insufficient space for including advertisingindicia or information relating to the product, manufacturer, etc. Thisis because it is the article itself that normally carries this type ofinformation.

In view of the drawbacks associated with conventional devices, there isa need in the industry for an article display device that is simple indesign and construction, easy to use, and which includes an area forproviding advertising information relating to the product, manufacturer,and/or other advertising information.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an articledisplay device which overcomes the drawbacks associated withconventional devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide an article displaydevice which is simple in design and construction, and easy andinexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an article displaydevice which can be used to hang and display various items in arelatively fast and easy manner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an articledisplay device which can be easily used to hang and display bi-fold andtri-fold wallets.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an articledisplay device which is monolithic in construction thereby making iteasy and inexpensive to manufacture. The monolithic constructioneliminates the need for assembly by a user and renders it less prone todamage. The article display device of the present invention is thereforemore durable, easy to use, and more desirable.

Yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide anarticle display device which can be made from a variety of materials,such as cardboard, hard or soft plastic, foam, wood, or metal materials.

Still yet an additional object of the present invention is to provide anarticle display device which includes an area for providing variousadvertising indicia and/or information about the product, manufacturer,other advertising or related information, etc., adjacent the productbeing displayed. This construction facilitates attracting the consumersattention by providing all the necessary information close to theproduct.

In summary, the main object of the present invention is to provide anarticle display device which is simple in design and construction,inexpensive to manufacture, durable, easy to use, and provides an areafor including product, manufacturer, and/or other advertisinginformation.

One of the above objects is met, in part, by the present invention,which in one aspect includes an article display device to be hung from ahook or the like hanging component of a display structure, having aone-piece body with first, second, and third contiguous sections. Thefirst, second and third sections include generally coextensive sideedges. The first section includes a first opening for receiving a hookor the like hanging component of an article display structure. Thesecond section is disposed below the first section and includes an areafor including advertising indicia/information. The third section isdisposed below the second section and includes a second opening bound onall sides for inserting an article therethrough. The height of thesecond section is larger than the height of one of the first and thirdsections.

Another aspect of the present invention includes an article displaydevice to be hung from a hook or the like hanging component of a displaystructure, which includes a generally rectangular one-piece body withfirst, second and third contiguous sections. The body includes generallyplanar uninterrupted front and rear surfaces, and the first, second andthird sections include generally coextensive side edges. The secondsection is disposed below the first section and includes an area forincluding advertising indicia/information. The third section is disposedbelow the second section and includes a second opening bound on allsides for inserting an article therethrough. The height of the secondsection is larger than the height of one of the first and thirdsections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One of the above and other objects, novel features and advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiment(s) of invention, illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an article display device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is rear elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3-4 illustrate the steps involved in hanging a bi-fold wallet(shown in phantom lines) from the article display device of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5-6 illustrate the steps involved in hanging a tri-fold wallet(shown in phantom lines) from the article display device of the presentinvention; and

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate alternative embodiments of the article displaydevice shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

As best shown in FIGS. 1-2, the article dispensing device ADD of thepresent invention includes a body portion 10 made of a suitablematerial, such as cardboard, hard or soft plastic, foam, metal, wood, orthe like durable material. The body 10 is preferably of a one-piecemonolithic construction that could be molded. Front and rear surfaces 12and 14 of the body 10 are preferably completely generally planar orflat, and uninterrupted. The body 10 is preferably few millimeters toone quarter-inch thick, but may be flexible for the ease of manipulationin hanging an article, such as a bi-fold wallet BW, or a tri-fold walletTW (FIGS. 3-6).

The body 10 includes an upper hook section 16, a middle information orindicia section 18, and a lower hanger section 20. Preferably, the widthof the hook section 16, the information section 18, and the hangersection 20, generally correspond to each other to provide generallycoextensive left and right side edges 22 and 24. Preferably, the heightH₂ of the information section 18 is larger than the individual heightsH₁ and H₃ of the hook section 16 and the hanger section 20,respectively. More preferably, the height H₂ of the information section18 is equal to, or more than the combined height (H₁+H₃) of the hooksection 16 and the hanger section 20.

The hook section 16 includes a preferably centrally disposed throughopening 26 for receiving a hook or the like hanging member 28 of adisplay structure, such as a wall-mounted display board or shelf (notshown) (FIG. 4).

The information section 18 is provided for including advertisinginformation relating to the product, the manufacturer, or otheradvertising information. As shown by way of an example in FIG. 1, theinformation section 18 includes material and configuration-relateddetails 30 about an article, such as a wallet, on the right side, and arendition 32 of railroad cars and tracks on the left side. In thisregard, it is noted herewith that the information 30 and 32, shown inFIG. 1, are for illustration purposes only and other indicia/informationmay be provided, as desired. It is further noted herewith that althoughthe information section 18 is specifically provided for includingproduct, manufacturer, and/or other advertising information, the hooksection 16 may also be used to provide related or other information,such as a logo 34, brand name or trademark 36, and price information 38.

The hanger section 20 includes a generally transversely extendingthrough opening 40 bound on all the sides, and a lower hanger bar 42.Preferably, the opening 40 includes left and right end portions 44 and46 that are rounded. The width and height of the opening 40 is selectedso as to easily accommodate an article, such as a bi-fold wallet BW, ora tri-fold wallet TW (FIGS. 3-6).

As best shown in FIG. 2, the rear surface 14 of the body 10 may beprovided with additional information, such as a bar code 48, andconfiguration details 50 for the article in display.

The procedure for hanging an article, such as a bi-fold wallet BW, and atri-fold wallet TW, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3-6.In this regard, it is noted that a bi-fold wallet BW is a wallet that istypically rectangular in shape and includes left and right pocketportions 52 and 54 that are connected by a continuous fold portion 56(FIGS. 3-4). On the other hand, a tri-fold wallet TW typically includesthree pocket portions 58, 60 and 62 that are connected by continuousfold portions 64 and 66 (FIGS. 5-6). When folded, both the bi-foldwallet BW and tri-fold wallet TW form a generally rectangular compactunit for carrying currency, credit cards, drivers license, etc.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, when it is desired to hang a bi-foldwallet BW from the article display device ADD of the present invention,one of the left and right pocket portions 52 and 54 is inserted throughthe opening 40 (FIG. 3 shows pocket portion 54 being inserted) until thefold portion 56 is aligned with the hanger bar 42. At that point, theinserted pocket portion (54) is folded down such that the left and rightpocket portions 52 and 54 come to face each other (FIG. 4). The foldportion 56 is then firmly seated over the hanger bar 42 and the articledisplay device ADD may than be suspended for display by inserting thehook 28 through the opening 26. It is noted herewith that the foregoingis merely one illustration for hanging a bi-fold wallet BW from thearticle display device ADD, and can be varied. For instance, the leftpocket portion 52 may first be inserted through the opening 40 from thefront of the article display device ADD.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, preferably two pocket portions 60 and 62are inserted through the opening 40 of the article display device ADD,in a manner that the fold portion 64 is aligned with the hanger bar 42.The inserted pocket portions 60 and 62 are then folded down to face thepocket portion 58, and the fold portion 64 is firmly seated over thehanger bar 42 (FIG. 6). The article display device ADD may than be hungon a display structure by inserting the hook 28 through the opening 26.It is noted herewith that the foregoing is merely one illustration forhanging a tri-fold wallet TW from the article display device ADD, and itcan be varied. For instance, the pocket portion 62 may alone be insertedthrough the opening 40 such that the fold portion 66 is secured over thehanger bar 42, and then the pocket portion 58 is folded up to besandwiched between the pocket portions 60 and 62 to hang the wallet TWfrom the article display device ADD.

In order to remove either the bi-fold wallet BW or the tri-fold walletTW from the article display device ADD, one merely needs to slightlymove up the wallet from the hanger bar 42 and then follow theabove-noted steps in reverse.

FIGS. 7-12 illustrate alternative embodiments of the article displaydevice ADD, which are similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6,with the exception of the configuration of the through opening in thehanger section 20. (It is noted herewith that like reference numeralshave been used in various embodiments to denote similar features orelements.)

As shown in FIG. 7, the left and right end portions 68 and 70 of thethrough opening 72 are generally cone-shaped. On the other hand, thethrough opening 74 of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, is generallyelliptical in shape.

As shown in FIG. 9, the opening 76 is generally semi-elliptical in shapewith the flat surface 78 thereof preferably disposed adjacent the hangerbar 42. Likewise, the opening 80 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 isgenerally semi-elliptical in shape and includes a generallysemi-circular central notch 82 in the curved section thereof. The flatsurface 84 of the opening 80 is also preferably disposed adjacent thehanger bar 42.

As shown in FIG. 11, the opening 86 is similar to opening 40, butincludes generally square left and right end portions 88 and 90. Theopening 92 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 is generally plano-concavein configuration with the flat surface 94 thereof preferably disposedadjacent the hanger bar 42.

It is noted herewith that the orientation of the openings 76 (FIG. 9),80 (FIG. 10), and 92 (FIG. 12) may be reversed (upside down) such thatthe respective flat surfaces 78, 84 and 94 thereof, are disposedadjacent the information section 18.

While this invention has been described as having preferred sequences,ranges, steps, materials, structures, components, features, and/ordesigns, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications,uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general theprinciple of the invention, and including such departures from thepresent disclosure as those come within the known or customary practicein the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to thecentral features hereinbefore ser forth and fall within the scope of theinvention and of the limits of the appended claims.

1. An article display device to be hung from a hanging component of adisplay structure, comprising: a) a one-piece body including first,second, and third contiguous sections; b) said first, second, and thirdsections including generally coextensive side edges; c) said firstsection including a first opening for receiving a hanging component ofan article display structure; d) said second section being disposedbelow said first section and including an area for including advertisinginformation; e) said third section being disposed below said secondsection and including a second opening bound on all sides for insertingan article therethrough; and f) the height of said second section beinglarger than the height of one of said first and third sections.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein: a) the height of said second section islarger than the height of each of said first and third sections.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein: a) the height of said second section isgenerally equal to the combined height of said first and third sections.4. The device of claim 2, wherein: a) said body includes generallyplanar uninterrupted front and rear surfaces.
 5. The device of claim 2,wherein: (a) said body includes generally flat front and rear surfaces.6. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said second opening extendsgenerally transversely and includes generally rounded ends.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein: a) said second opening extends generallytransversely and includes angled ends.
 8. The device of claim 1,wherein: a) said opening extends generally transversely and is generallyelliptical in shape.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said openingextends generally transversely and is generally semi-elliptical inshape.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein: a) said opening includes anotch.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein: a) said opening extendsgenerally transversely and includes generally square ends.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein: a) said opening extends generallytransversely and is generally plano-concave in shape.
 13. The device ofclaim 1, in combination with a wallet.
 14. An article display device tobe hung from a hanging component of a display structure, comprising: a)a generally rectangular one-piece body including first, second, andthird contiguous sections; b) said body including generally planaruninterrupted front and rear surfaces; c) said first, second, and thirdsections including generally coextensive side edges; d) said firstsection including a first opening for receiving a hanging component ofan article display structure; e) said second section being disposedbelow said first section and including an area for including advertisinginformation; f) said third section being disposed below said secondsection and including a second opening bound on all sides for insertingan article therethrough; and g) the height of said second section beinglarger than the height of one of said first and third sections.
 15. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein: a) the height of said second section islarger than the height of each of said first and third sections.
 16. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein: a) the height of said second section isgenerally equal to the combined height of said first and third sections.17. An article display device to be hung from a hanging component of adisplay structure, consisting essentially of: a) a one-piece bodyincluding first, second, and third contiguous sections; b) said first,second, and third sections including generally coextensive side edges;c) said first section including a first opening for receiving a hangingcomponent of an article display structure; d) said second section beingdisposed below said first section and including an area for includingadvertising information; e) said third section being disposed below saidsecond section and including a second opening bound on all sides forinserting an article therethrough; and f) the height of said secondsection being larger than the height of one of said first and thirdsections.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein: a) the height of saidsecond section is larger than the height of each of said first and thirdsections.
 19. The device of claim 17, wherein: a) the height of saidsecond section is generally equal to the combined height of said firstand third sections.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein: a) said bodyincludes generally planar uninterrupted front and rear surfaces.
 21. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein: (a) said body includes generally flat frontand rear surfaces.
 22. The device of claim 17, wherein: a) said secondopening extends generally transversely and includes generally roundedends.
 23. The device of claim 17, wherein: a) said second openingextends generally transversely and includes angled ends.
 24. The deviceof claim 17, wherein: a) said opening extends generally transversely andis generally elliptical in shape.
 25. The device of claim 17, wherein:a) said opening extends generally transversely and is generallysemi-elliptical in shape.
 26. The device of claim 25, wherein: a) saidopening includes a notch.
 27. The device of claim 17, wherein: a) saidopening extends generally transversely and includes generally squareends.
 28. The device of claim 17, wherein: a) said opening extendsgenerally transversely and is generally plano-concave in shape.